AMELIA ISLAND – After a relatively quite week at the league’s annual spring meetings, ACC commissioner John Swofford sat down with reporters to discuss a wide-range of topics. Here are a few of his comments:

On any movement to reconfigure the divisions in the ACC

Swofford: “There is nothing imminent in regards to that. One of the things that we continue to do and what we should do with the various changes with the membership along the way is step back and take a look at where we’re doing and not just continue to do things just because that’s the way we’re doing them and that’s the way we did them. That’s dangerous thinking. And one real common thread is a desire in terms of our scheduling in general is a desire to play each other frequently as we can in a way that makes sense. We continue to look at that and think about it. We haven’t changed anything at this point in time. We do have basically 10 years now to look at the core of those divisions obviously in the last couple of years they’ve had additions and so forth. Nothing is eminent and I don’t want to give the impression that change is coming in regard to that. It is something we continue to analyze with the goal of finding the best balance.

“We did want to give it some time where we had – our football divisions competitively are pretty balanced from that standpoint. We also tried to mix and maintain rivalry games and when those rivalry games are within a division that’s easy – when they are not that’s when you get into complicating the schedule some. So we’ll continue to look at that and see if there are better ways to reach that common thread of playing each other as frequently as we can because that’s part of being a conference. Whether it’s the divisions themselves or whether it’s the number of conference games you play.”

On whether the ACC would revisit the idea of a nine-game league schedule

Swofford: “I don’t think that’s gone away as a possibility. Again, I don’t want to give the impression that we’re on the verge of changing anything. Because we are not. I’m just suggesting that discussions continue.”

On the future of the ACC Network

Swofford: “It’s in process. It doesn’t serve any real positive purpose for us to periodically give interim updates on that. The channel is a part of discussions about what’s the best route for us to go television-wise in the future with the league that we now have with 15 members, with our geographic footprint as a conference is the largest of any conference now. Those things give us opportunities, that previously we didn’t have. A potential channel is one of those. We anticipated it would be a two or three year stretch in getting to whatever endpoint. We’re right on schedule with that. Discussion is what we thought we would be at this given time. We’ve got a great partner in ESPN and together we think we can do some really good things. At some point we’ll decide we’re going to do something and we’ll make that known. We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re pleased where we are in the process.”

On the College Football Playoff and the possibility of expansion

Swofford: “Based on the decision-makers in the room, no, I don’t. I think we’re at four probably for the duration of this contract. At least that’s the way I read it at this point of time. My comment at been, in a perfect world and in the perfect football standpoint, I felt eight is a really good number with the five power conferences champions having a guaranteed slot and three at-large slots. In today’s world and within the parameters that we’re working in, I didn’t think that would happen. I think we’re at four for all the right reasons. The bookends, so to speak, are not interfering with exams in September and not making it a two-semester sport deep into January. That makes it really difficult to be beyond four. Those are good reasons because they are related to education and academics and the collegiate experience. I don’t sense from the Presidents that oversee the football playoff or the management committee at this time, any movement beyond four.”

On the league playing games overseas

Swofford: “Our schools are interested in what we call ACC Global. While we don’t have anything to announce in regards to that today, that is a consideration that our schools are interested in in all sports. We’re in some discussions among some possibilities. Probably more European it would appear at this point of time. Some of it might be in season and some of it may be out of season. Practically all of our school’s have satellite campuses outside of the United States so it’s not inconsistent with that at all. Our schools, the Presidents included are interested in the institutional brand and flag being expanded internationally. Sports is one way to do that. If you’re doing it in-season, it’s more complicated. Obviously the best time is right at the beginning, probably the opening-weekend of the season. We are interested in that and we’re looking into developing opportunities for our school’s to do so.”